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Do you ever pay attention to those little known prospects who're often moved in deadline deals?  The kid you'd never heard of being flipped for a veteran on an expiring contract...  Consider this a little "seller beware" story.

Hao-Yu Lee was one of those "lottery tickets" a year ago.  The Phillies sent the Taiwan-born 2nd baseman to the Tigers last July for Michael Lorenzen.  Short-term, the deal helped Philadelphia.   The veteran righty threw a no-hitter and helped the club earn a wild card before moving on to the Rangers as a free agent.  While Lee didn't make waves in '23, he's posted some big numbers this season for AA Erie -- with a dozen homers, 16 doubles, an average around .290 and an .850 OPS.   

It took Carlos Narváez seven-and-a-half years in the Yankees farm system before being called up.  Taking Jose Trevino's roster spot, the backup catcher singled against the Rays last Monday in his first time up in pinstripes.  In case the last name sounds familiar, you're right.  He's the cousin of former Mets, Mariners and White Sox catcher Omar Narváez (who's now with the Astros AAA team in Sugarland, Texas).

(Below:)  Hey, where's the rest of my bat??  Anthony Volpe's lumber got sawed off in this July 4th at-bat against Frankie Montas of the Reds.  I didn't see what the top half lande -- but you can see its shadow as Volpe is left with little more than a handle.
Phillies GM Dave Dombrowski has a light moment just before the opener of the London Series against the Mets on June 8th.  In the background, 2008 Phils World Champs Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard are being interviewed.

(Below:)  Even though Jett Williams remains sidelined recovering from wrist surgery,  the Mets top 2023 draft pick still made Baseball Prospectus' list of the Top 50 prospects.  Seen here during a Grapefruit League game in February, the Dallas native ranks #37.

Finally, from 2016 (in a folder of phonecam images I'd forgotten about), you're on River Avenue, just outside Yankee Stadium and under the elevated 4 subway line.




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